Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-08-31

An Amusing Anecdote of Frederick the
Great and a Cavalry Captain.


Great and a Cavalry Captain.
The days of the historical Long
BRIDGE leading from Berlin to Pots
dam, are numbered-a bridge which
played an Important part in the career
of Frederick the Great. In the days OF
that King all travellers between the two
cities were compelled to pass over the
bridge, and few escaped the monarch's
notice while sitting in the study of his
neighboring palace. Here he was &C
customed to keep strict account of his
officers who tried to escape their duty
now and then by a jaunt in the neigh.
boring capital. But he, of course, did
not wish 70 be observed. So he placed
a mirror in the room, which accurately
reflected what occurred upon the bridge.
One day, in the evening of which a
masquerade was to take place in Berlin,
he sat as usual at his desk, when,
glancing in the mirror, he saw
cavalry Captain in the act of crossing.
He concluded at once that the object of
his ride was the masked ball which his
Majesty also intended to visit, but had
forbidden his officers. A few hours
later he also started for Berlin and APP
peared in the Opera-hOuse at the proper
time. His sharp eye soon recognized
the sinner in the mask of noble Vene.
tian, and he followed him. step
by step, until he was thoroughly con-
WINGED that he had made no mis-
take. Stepping in front of the culprit,
and gazing at him with transfxing
glance, he thundered "Mask. know
your The officer, who Immediately
recognized the tones of his King, was
frightened for moment. He knew
that heavy punishment possibly dis
missal, would be melted out to him.
But he collected himself and replied:
"Mask, | do not know you" 'Mask,
you are cavalry Captain -" With
a resolution of despair the officer an
swered: Eyes; but | am here without
leave of absence. He is scoundrel
who betrays me-" The King bit his
lips The answer was unexpectedly
collected and impudent. But presently
he said: Upon my word it remains
our secret"
The officer left the masquerade,
hurried to his hotel, sprang upon
his horse and galloped back to Pots
dam. On the following morning at
eight o'clock D. appeared pune
tually for duty in the Lustgarten,
whittier his regiment had been COM
manded. The King soon began the re-
view, staring strongly at the Captain
as he passed down the file, but saying
nothing, all being in excellent order.
Suddenly he halted at the center. Cav
airy Captain - resounded his stem
torian tone. The officer, now certain
of his dismissal or long arrest, rode for
ward in strictest military fashion, sa-
luting the King, as he thought, for the
last time. Nearer" commanded his
Majesty. as the Captain stopped at the
customary distance. He obeyed. "Mask,
you are Major, but he is scoundrel
who betrays it. Upon my word,
your Majesty, it remains our secret"
answered the officer, relieved now Of
his heavy heart
A year went by and the promotion
remained an unrevealed secret, the
Captain doing his duty as hitherto. On
the anniversary of the event, when
again presenting his regiment to the
King in the Lustgarten, the following
parole orders were read: Cavalry
Captain - is promoted to the rank of
a Major, his patent dating from a year
ago to-day, and has four weeks leave
of absence for the carnival in Berlin"